The Elmley Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Approximately £300,000
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Within 2 months
• Grant Range: Rarely over £2,000 for unsolicited applications (Main Programme); up to £2,000 (Community Arts Fund)
• Geographic Focus: Herefordshire and Worcestershire

Contact Details

• Website: www.elmley.org.uk
• Email: foundation@elmley.org.uk
• Phone: 01363 877433
• Pre-application contact: Strongly advised before formal application

Overview

The Elmley Foundation is an independent grantmaking charity established through an endowment from the late Countess Beauchamp of Madresfield Court. The Countess, widow of the eighth and last Earl Beauchamp, lived at Madresfield for 45 years until her husband's death in 1979. She died in 1989, having given considerable thought to providing public access to the house and its contents, and to reviving its traditions as a patron of the arts. The foundation spends approximately £300,000 annually to support arts, crafts, and design initiatives in Herefordshire and Worcestershire. The foundation continues the tradition of arts encouragement historically associated with Madresfield Court, focusing on filling gaps and developing the regional arts scene.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

• Main Programme: Up to £2,000 typically (higher amounts by discussion)
• Elmley Community Arts Fund: Events and Activities grants up to £2,000; Arts Equipment grants up to £1,000
• Applications accepted on a rolling basis year-round

Priority Areas

• Arts, crafts, and design initiatives
• Cultural development projects
• Projects that fill gaps in the local arts scene
• Support for individual artists from Herefordshire and Worcestershire
• Educational opportunities for talented individuals pursuing professional arts careers
• Postgraduate arts courses for local students

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's strict geographic focus and arts-only remit suggests they do not fund:

• Projects outside Herefordshire and Worcestershire
• Non-arts related activities
• General charitable causes unrelated to cultural development

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Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by three trustees:

• Diana Johnson - Trustee
• Sally Luton - Trustee
• Hugh Carslake - Trustee

The Director is John de la Cour and the Administrator is Elaine Rowe.

No trustees receive remuneration, demonstrating commitment to maximising charitable impact.

How to Apply to The Elmley Foundation

How to Apply

For Main Programme grants:

• Applications accepted at any time throughout the year
• Submit via email to foundation@elmley.org.uk or by post
• Optional application form available for download (recommended)
• Critical: Contact the foundation before submitting a formal application

Required application materials:

• Letter explaining project needs and objectives
• Income and expenditure estimate
• Details on project beneficiaries
• Evidence of balanced financing
• Information on other funding sources or sponsorships

For Elmley Community Arts Fund:

• The programme is administered on behalf of The Elmley Foundation by the charity Community First in Herefordshire and Worcestershire
• Contact Community First on 01684 312730, or by email info@comfirst.org.uk
• Offers Events and Activities grants up to £2,000 and Arts Equipment grants up to £1,000

Decision Timeline

• Decisions typically provided within 2 months of application
• No fixed committee meeting dates; rolling review process

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly stated, though the foundation's encouragement of pre-application contact suggests unsuccessful applicants can discuss future opportunities

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's guidance:

• Pre-application contact is strongly advised - this appears to be a critical success factor
• First-time applicants requesting over £2,000 should begin with a short project description rather than a full application
• Demonstrate balanced financing with multiple funding sources
• Clear articulation of how the project benefits Herefordshire and Worcestershire arts scenes
• Organisations must have formal constitution and proper financial controls
• Individual artists must partner with an organisation to ensure public access to work
• Projects that “fill gaps” in the local arts provision are particularly favoured

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Always contact the foundation before applying - this is explicitly stated as strong advice
• Grants rarely exceed £2,000 for unsolicited applications; larger amounts require prior discussion
• Geographic focus on Herefordshire and Worcestershire is strict
• The foundation values projects that develop and enrich the regional arts landscape
• Individual artists can apply but must work through an organisation
• Applications can be submitted year-round with relatively quick 2-month decisions
• For smaller grants (up to £2,000), the Community Arts Fund administered by Community First may be appropriate

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• The National Lottery Heritage Fund
• National Lottery
• The Headley Trust
• The Swire Charitable Trust
• The Rowlands Trust
• The Street Foundation
• The Mccorquodale Charitable Trust
• The Arts Council Of England
• The Hawthorne Charitable Trust
• Before Trust
• The Barbara Whatmore Charitable Trust
• The Edward And Dorothy Cadbury Trust
• The Wolfson Foundation
• Supporting Communities

References

• The Elmley Foundation official website (www.elmley.org.uk) -
• The Elmley Foundation “How to Apply” page -
• The Elmley Foundation “Who Can Apply” page -
• The Elmley Foundation “About the Foundation” page -
• The Elmley Foundation “Who we are” page -
• The Elmley Foundation “Community Arts Fund” page -
• Charity Commission Register (charity number 1004043) -
• Community First Herefordshire and Worcestershire - Elmley Grants page -